Messi’s former national team-mate joins Bashundhara

Hernan Barcos, an Argentine footballer who played with Lionel Messi in the national team, has been roped in by Bangladesh Premier League champions Bashundhara Kings Sunday.

Bashnundara will pay $20,000 per month for the services of the 35-year old, who is expected to make his debut for the club in the AFC group E match against Maldives Club TC Sports on March 11. 

“We have completed formal discussions. He is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Wednesday. Initially, we are going for a 10-month contract with a monthly payment of $20, 000,” Kings President Imrul Hasan told the media. 

Barcos was part of the Argentina national team in the 2014 World Cup qualification round, but failed to score any goals in his four appearances for La Albiceleste.

He made his national team debut in a friendly match against Brazil on September 19 in 2012, before playing against Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile in the qualifiers. 

At the club level, he last played for Atletico Nacional, a Colombian professional football team, scoring six goals in 14 matches in top-tier football. 

The Argentine also played for Brazilian clubs Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, Gremio, Football Porto Alegrense and Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras.